The Philippines is not a crappy place. We have politicians with blockbuster movies and music videos, ordinary citizens featured in advertisements, and different kinds of merchandise promoting pride can be found everywhere from the country’s biggest malls to the constantly bustling streets of Quiapo. We have everything that money can buy—who’s to say Filipinos do not live “the life”?
Corruption in the Philippines is not an issue anymore. It has become a norm and probably every Filipino’s lifestyle. It may not be everybody’s choice but people have become unaware that they are practicing what they adamantly despise. How many times have we failed to pay the exact amount in the jeepney? Paying P5 for example, when jeepney fare is P5.60 is corruption as you are shortchanging the driver or the operatorof his supposed revenue. How many times have we tried to “ask a favor” from the secretary who’s a friend so we can move up the long list of patients for our doctor’s appointment? And for what reason? It’s not because we’re in a hurry for another appointment. In truth, I believe we just hate waiting for our turn and would jump at the first opening of a shortcut.
The Filipino’s cleverness and resourcefulness is probably what leads to the corruption of our values. The value of close family ties has been thoroughly abused to the extent that everyone feels a need to “go out of the way” for a friend, a relative, or a family member. This has lead to explosive controversies like the Hello Garci scandal and the Jose Pidal account among others. These favors of course are with due compensation.
I believe the problem can be addressed by our own, individual assessments. If we ourselves propagate the wrong ideology, then we can propagate the positive change we seek.
The Philippines is a busy market of things, people and ideas. It is a place stricken bad by poverty that people will go to extremes to live and provide for their families and loved ones. Corruption is rampant because of the need to survive. But despite these harsh conditions, we Filipinos still hold the cards. We can decide to stay or break from this lifestyle.
Tell me, are you for sale?
